(a) whether all medicines are prescribed and sold under brand names;
(b) whether it is mandatory to get approval for and register brand names with any Central Authority in India;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether there is any law to prohibit the use of old established brand names even after the ingredients are changed/altered; and
(e) if so, the steps being taken/proposed to be taken in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)
a) : As per norms prescribed under the drugs and cosmetics rules, medicines can be
prescribed and sold under brand names as well as generic names.
(b) &( c) : It is not mandatory to get approval for and register brand names with any central authority in India.
(d) & (e) : There are no legal restrictions on use of old established brand names by firms even after some ingredients are changed or altered.